Issue 20: Kathryn - Founder of Working Disabilities

For individuals with disabilities, representation is the utmost important aspect to changing employment stigmatization. With 37% of individuals in the Canadian Workforce having a diagnosed disability, bring awareness to the barriers associated with employment is a priority. For this 2020 Miss Universe Canada’s People Choice Award Winner and Founder of Working Disabilities, her REAL WHY is showcasing the storis of Canadians with Disabilities.

Through her profession and social media movement, Kathryn aims to assist those with disabilities; while aiming to understand the barriers currently in place, to establish resilient and equitable structures. Through her work with children diagnosed with disabilities, she can establish and build real meaningful connections with her clients and their families. Being a role model to her clients Kathryn is able to impact these children’s lives and encourage them to be themselves despite social stigma. In her line of work, Kathryn administers programs to children with disabilities to develop their skills to be successful in their everyday endeavours.

Kathryn began to volunteer with an “On Site Placement (OSP)” where she was challenged to develop a project about a social issue in which she is passionate about. It was here where she developed the drive to showcase the barriers that currently exist for employees with disabilities. Kathryn learned that in Canada there are significant barriers in which restrict employees with disabilities full access to success. Kathryn has heard the stories of this population, which encouraged her to build a platform, “Working Disabilities”, in which sparks meaningful change. She wanted to create a platform where she can showcase these stories to empower children with disabilities and showcase representation of role models just like them. Kathryn hopes that her project will build a network of connections and communities for all those who have experienced barriers within their employment industry. She believes that we can learn from these stories to build empathy to build a society we are proud of.

Interested in learning more about Working Disabilities? Follow Kathryn’s platform on Instagram @workingdisabilities

If you or someone you know is interested in sharing the experience of working with a disability, feel free to contact Kathryn through her platform page!